A 2 by X rectangle can obviously have 2*X circles of diameter 1 placed inside it without overlapping. What is the smallest integer X where a 2 by X box can have 2*X+1 non-overlapping circles placed inside it?

(In reply to Stumped by Steve Herman)

Maybe it is a trick question. The second part of the question does not say "of diameter 1." I can place an infinite number of circles into a 2x1 rectangle, so I give 1 as my answer. :)

Posted by Caleb on 2017-05-23 01:03:13